What does Ramadan mean to a non Muslim living in the Middle East?

There are positives and negatives of course and as an non muslim, I don't have to deal with having with going about my daily activities in the heat of summer whilst fasting. With Ramadan starting next week, I thought I'd blog about what I can and can't do here during this time and can refer people to this post rather than answering endless questions that I face every year about what people think I can't do whilst living here.

The shops go into full retail mode with sales and fantastic deals on offer to everyone. There are Iftars (breaking fast) meals, social events and gatherings. And the end of Ramadan Eid al Fitr is marked with fireworks and celebrations.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year, in which strict fasting is observed from dawn to sunset. In 2018 Ramadan starts 16/17th May. Our first Ramadan in Dubai, in 2015 was in the middle of June. On average it is 11 days earlier each year and whilst this is an approximate date, final confirmation isn't until the new moon is sighted.

If we're still here in a few years, Ramadan will be in winter, day light hours shorter and not as hot. It's the heat I struggle with the most and not being able to drink water if I'm out in public, although as a non muslim I can carry on eating and drinking as normal. I have actually been asked If I'm actually allowed to eat and drink during this month.

However there are some restrictions placed upon me in public during daylight hours whilst I go about my everyday activites in Dubai, during Ramadan and these include:

• No eating
• No drinking (not even water)
• No chewing gum
• No smoking

I can still do the above in the privacy of my own home, my garden as it's fenced off and on our balcony. 

However if I'm out it's a bit more of a struggle. You won't find anywhere to smoke during the day, unless you sit in your car, surrounded by sun screens. Although not recommend when the car temps reach 57c.

Food halls and some cafes are open, but finding out who is and who isn't and who is available for take away only and opening times is a different matter altogether. 

Every year I find more and more places open for non muslims during Ramadan. However opening hours change, with places opening later in the day and staying open later at night. Little is advertised on the websites. But if you're in Dubai on holiday during Ramadan, then your hotel restaurant will operate as normal. However you may find alcohol is restricted during day light hours in Ramadan.

Everyone is exceptionally friendly here in Dubai during Ramadan and they will allow for mistakes. You'll be politely asked not to eat or drink in the malls, outside of restricted areas which are clearly labelled and with a list of the rules.

Muslims who are ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding etc are exempt from fasting and you will see muslims in non muslim areas feeding their children during the day. 

My Sunday Photo - Week 117 E is for Earth Hour, Dubai

Whilst I understand the need for safety and that they build 24/7 and safety lights need to be left on for low flying aircraft, I am very disappointed with Dubai's effort for this years Earth Hour. I'm sure quite a few more buildings and businesses could've switched off a few more lights, maybe the arch could've been turned off also, as there is plenty of light on the footbridge for the handful of people out tonight in the rain.

Plants in Dubai that are dangerous to pets.

The desert rose, scientific name, Adenium obesum, also known as impala lily, kudu lily, desert azalea, mock azalea and wabi star.

Popular all over the world and considered scared in some places.

Tribes in Africa use the sap of the plant and pollen to get poison for their arrows. it is so toxic it can even kill an elephant.

The entire plant is toxic if ingested by your dog.

There's space in my garden for a new shrub, since I found out this plant was extremely toxic to cats and dogs and can cause serious illnesses including heart failure from ingesting any part of the plant, just from licking any part of the plant.

There are hundred's of these plants in Dubai, usually grown in pots to keep them more ornate or they grow into mid sized trees.

They produce the prettiest of flowers and adorn almost every garden in Dubai.

This plant has been re homed to live outside the garden gate.

Meanwhile the dog has been posing for his latest GQ centre spread.

Not taken with a soft focus, just need to replace the cover on my phone

Bob got a stone in his paw, out in the desert, growled at me when I went near him, so I threw his precious ball in the water which he limped after and the stone came free.

Found a dog friendly coffee stop.

Bedtime for the cat, when she's ready for bed, she follows me around and sits and looks at me like this until I give her, her treats in her bed.

The cat went into full on attack mode, seconds after this picture was taken, poor Bob had to run for his life.

You're never alone when you let a cat and dog into your life, waiting for peas and sweetcorn, the cats favourite snack.

The garden is looking a little dire, the plants are growing but they're not growing as big and as fast as they did last year despite the recent rain. I've moved the houseplants outdoors for a few weeks before the weather gets too hot and they seem to be doing well.
*update....it rained and we had storms. Half the plants died so are now back indoors.

A walk round the neighbourhood and gardening in the sand.

I took a walk to the beach yesterday afternoon and realised just how green Dubai is at the moment. Despite it being winter, it hasn't rained since March 2016, the temperatures are much lower, below 30c, and it's very pleasant to be outdoors at the moment.

An empty plot behind our villa.

 Every few villas there are shrubs and trees planted on the pavement with irrigation systems. I have no idea if these are owned by the villa's or maintained by the municipality. 

 I'd love to see the other side of this wall, the outside is beautifully planted, I imagine the gardens inside to be spectacular.

I love how people can leave pots outside their house and not have them vandalised, however it does annoy me that they are blocking the pavements.

There are random patches of colour along the side of the road, planted by the municipality.

My theory when it comes to gardening in Dubai is 'try' If they sell rose bushes, then rose bushes must be able to grow here. I dug a huge hole in the sand and filled it with compost before planting this bush. The roses have bloomed in the last 4 days, I wish I'd kept the box now so I knew what this was called.

Despite being small in size the tomatoes are doing well.

Chilli's

My first strawberry. I bought the plants as I've tried and failed several times, growing from seed.

Broad beans.

Im sure people will wonder what I've buried here, but the green fences are to mark the area where I've planted bulbs to stop the gardening digging them up like he did last year.

Plenty of sunflowers.

Treated myself to some flowers, now the air con is switched off for a few months, cut flowers last more than a few days.

Looking to adopt a dog in Dubai? Meet Bonnie.

She loves to play

Meet Bonnie, she is 8 months old and a new addition in our home for 2 weeks. We are fostering her until the 30th June in the hope that someone will adopt her, when they see how loving she is, how well she gets on with our dog and pretty much ignores the cat.

How could you resist?

Bonnie is under the care of DAWS - Molosser & Bull Breed Rescue UAE to be eligible to adopt you must have a residency visa and live in a Villa. Please contact DAWS directly for enquiries on adopting Bonnie.

We have a few chewing issues, she is a puppy still. A couple of toilet accidents, a few moments when she's helped herself to the contents of the litter tray (gross) and it's fun and games when we go for a walk, as she doesn't want her walk to end and digs her heels in as we round the corner towards home and I end up carrying her home.

 She works well on a lead

But we have had issues persuading her to come home after a walk

I thought the bowl was part of dinner

 Unlike Bob, she eats very well and chews each mouthful

 She has her own bed but wants to share with Bob

 She loves playing with toys and with Bob and shares nicely

Bonnie loves company and her and Bob follow me from room to room

We already have a cat and dog who were rescues when we were living in South Africa.

The cat, Pushkins, is aged 7, and until last month had been a girl for 4 years, the vet informed me, 'she' is actually a 'he' and always has been. We struggle to say 'he' so the poor cat is now referred to as 'it'

The dog, Bob aged 6, is a boy and has been living with us for 3 years.

Both were house trained and Bob has NEVER chewed anything in his life. He pulls when he's on the lead, he prefers to be off lead and responds, eventually, to come back on a walk. Bob follows me from room to room and is constantly under my feet.

Pushkins is currently being kept in the house, due to it being severely over weight, it helps itself to the food left out for the cat feeding scheme in our street.

You can see more photo's and updates on Bonnie on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or like my page Chickenruby.

UAE National Day 44 Celebrations in Dubai

Planning it all has been a little tricky and the logistics of travelling between all the venues has been very time consuming, and although I didn't didn't stay in any one place too long, I've had a lot of fun today.

I started the day by walking to Kite Beach where I stopped for a coffee and took photographs of the flags in the sand.

Next stop was Dubai Marina, via bus and train, and the yacht club to see the boat parade

After a late lunch/early dinner, I travelled home on the tram, train and by taxi to drop off my christmas shopping and headed off to Box Park.

Parking at Box Park was a bit of an issue, but it was worth the visit, beautifully lit up and lots of entertainment for both adults and children alike.

I then finished the evening by driving round to City Walk to watch the firework display. I couldn't find parking anywhere and after a bit of detour, I finally parked and got as far as the main road before the fireworks started. I had another coffee at a pavement cafe and watched the cars drive by, decorated with the UAE flag, tooting their horns and revving their engines. I also observed a local, wearing a white mask, spraying cars with foam, apparently it's a local tradition on UAE day.

I missed the Burj Khalifa lit up with the colours of the flag and tomorrow I'm heading off to The Beach at Jumeriah Beach Residence to watch the firework display and treat myself to dinner in one of the fancy restaurants there.